Africa-Press – Zambia. Police in riot gear has blocked protesting unemployed Doctors’ march to the statehouse to seek an audience with the head of state over their plight. The Doctors who initially gathered at the UNZA Ridgeway Campus opted to march to the statehouse but were intercepted by police on Independence Avenue.
One of the representatives, Dr. Wallace Ndumba has told Diamond News that Doctors will no longer offer free service as volunteers at the expense of unfilled promises to be employed.
Over 800 Doctors are unemployed in the country and they are hoping they could be employed in the forthcoming recruitment of 11,200 health personnel. Two days ago, Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo disclosed that the recruitment of 11,200 health personnel will commence next month.- Diamond TV
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health permanent secretary Luckson Kasonka has advised unemployed Medical Doctors who staged a protest in Lusaka today that consultations on the recruitment of health workers have commenced.
Professor Kasonka said that the government wants the exercise conducted in a methodical manner to ensure Doctors start receiving a salary immediately after they are posted, adding that the government has resolved to recruit Doctors every year.
Professor Kasonka said this when he addressed the doctors on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema. The Doctors are demanding among other things for government to change the law that requires them to work for a government institution on a two-year internship program before acquiring a practicing license.
And unemployed Doctors spokesperson Wallace Ndumba appealed to the government to fulfill its promise by employing the 8-hundred doctors. Another unemployed Doctor, Mpange Bwalya said the doctors have observed some incoherent statements from the ministry of health on recruitment and want to get the actual road map.
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